Construction Notes

 

These notes are mainly for people scratch building, if using a pcb view the construction.pps file for an overview.

 

It should be fairly easy to build the controller on a piece of veroboard (stripboard) slightly wider than the LCD and about 15mm deeper (around 100mm x 75mm). I’ve found the best type of stripboard has the strips grouped in groups of 3 connections in a row.

 

Most components can be fitted pretty much as per the PCB overlay. Check the LCD position and make a note of where the connections line up on the stripboard.

 

To make life easy you may wish to fit the LCD using a plug and socket arrangement so it can be removed easily. I used a 16 pin IC socket cut in two to provide a 1 by 16 pin socket. The LCD can have a 16 pin SIL header fitted (or stiff wires), bolt the LCD to the stripboard before soldering up the SIL header so that the length of the ‘pins’ can be adjusted. The LCD can now be plugged in and out. Remove the LCD.

 

Referring to the circuit diagram and pcb layout.

 

 

At this point you can test the circuit , apply power and check for 5v across pins 11 & 12 of IC1. If Ok plug in IC1 and the LCD, re-apply power and you should be greeted with the splash screen (you may need to adjust contrast to see this).

If this isn’t the case check power to the LCD, the connections between the LCD and IC1 and the connections around the crystal.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it! Plug IC1 in, connect the LCD and connect the keyboard and read Manual.htm for controller operation and Hardware.htm for details on connecting to controllers etc.